Sr.

I have to Acquaint Your Honr That an Express arrived at Head quarters from Portsmouth Informing that on Monday last [October 16] two or three armd Vesells. Sundry Transports all full of men arrivd. at Falmouth in Casco Bay from Boston (being part of the Ministerial force): with orders to Destroy That Town with Portsmouth in Case the Inhabitants Refusd to Deliver up their Arms, give hostages &c.: That upon [a] Truce. the Inhabitants Deliverd to the Chief Comm[odore] of the Ships Eight Musquets and had time to Consider till Nine of the Clock Next Morning. ー That the Post came away half after Eight: That Just about Nine he heard a heavy firing towards that place supposd the People had Rejected the Terms and that the Cruel orders were carrying into Execution.

Govr Cook has also Recd advice that Capt Wallace has Recd orders to do the Same to any of the Towns in Rhode Island & Connectc where any arm'd force appears to oppose the Ministerial Troops: what Precaution is proper to be taken for the Protection of our Colony Your Honr and the Honble Genll Assembly will Consider: ー Its: Supposd not Expedient at present to Communicate the Matters Transacted by the Comtee &c. Conven'd here without Special Leave ー

Some of our Connectc officers are very Desirous that Some Further Provision Might be made for the Sick People in the army belonging to our Colony ー I am with great Respect [&c.]